Brush with flat wire elements



1951 c. G. ROWLAND 2,565,047

BRUSH WITH FLAT WIRE ELEMENTS Filed Alig. 12, 1946 may): 32 lat- '15. I I I i W64 m a m Nahum \/\v/\/ aa/ Patented Aug. 21, 1951 BRUSH WITH FLAT WIRE ELEMENTS Clarence G. Rowland, Newington, Conn., assignor to The Fuller Brush Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application August 12, 1946, Serial No. 690,041

17 Claims.

' The invention relates to a brush in which the brush elements are resilient fiat wires. Although the invention is not necessarily so limited, it is particularly applicable to a rotary brush. A brush embodying the invention is particularly adapted for use as a floor brush in factories and the like, but the invention is not so limited and maybe incorporated in brushes for other purposes.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a brush of the character described in which the brush elements are parts of brush strips, each of which comprises a plurality of resilient flat wire brush elements preferably arranged in two parallel rows.

A further object of the invention is to provide a brush of the character described having brush strips which comprise U-shaped flat wires, the legs of the U-shaped flat wires constituting resilient flat wire elements some of which are twisted near their inner ends so as to bring them into planes at substantial angles to the planes of .the other flat wire elements.

.A still further object of the invention is to provide a brush strip adapted for use in a brush and having resilient fiat wire brush elements arranged as heretofore stated.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the drawing and from the following specification and claims.

In the drawing I have shown in detail several embodiments of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the constructions shown, and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a brush embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view.

vFig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a combined sectional and elevational view taken along the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an end view of an alternative brush strip.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the brush strip illustrated in Fig. 6.

' 7 Figs. 8 and 9, 10 and 11, and 12 and 13 are views similar respectively to Figs. 6 and '7, but showing other alternative brush strips.

Referring to the drawing, particularly Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, I0 is a base for carrying brush strips I2, I2. Preferably the base I0 is rotary but the invention is not necessarily so limited. As shown, the base In is circular and is adapted for rotation about a central vertical axis, the brush strips I2, l2 being supported at the lower face of the base and projecting downward therefrom. The invention is not limited to a disclike circular base such as II] and may be equally well incorporated in a brush having a cylindrical base with the brush strips carried by the periphery thereof and projecting outward therefrom.

Each of the brush strips I2 comprises a plurality of resilient fiat wire brush elements I4 and I6 substantially in engagement with each other and extending throughout the major portion of the length of the brush strip. A longitudinal holder 2i] is provided which is U-shaped in cross section and which engages the outer portions of the U-shaped flat wires thus serving to hold the U-shaped fiat wires in place. Ordinarily there is a longitudinal retaining wire I8 which extends longitudinally of the strip and which is positioned within the U-shaped holder and within the curves of the U-shaped flat wires. As clearly shown in Fig. 4, the wire I8 and the holder 20 extend at each end of the strip beyond the series of U-shaped fiat wires and the end portions of the holder 20 are bent inward, or toward each other, at 22 so as to engage the U-shaped fiat wire at the corresponding end of the series to prevent relative longitudinal movement thereof.

The base I0 is provided with a plurality of grooves for receiving the holders 20 of the several brush strips. When the base I0 is circular, as shown, the grooves are in the lower face of the base and the brush elements I4 and I6 of the several strips extend downward from the said face. The grooves for receiving the brush strips I2 may be variously positioned but preferably they are so located that the longitudinal central planes of the strips I2, I2 are tangent to a circle concentric with the axis of rotation. Alternatively, the grooves and the strips may be positioned radially.

As shown clearly in Fig. 3, one longitudinal side face of each groove is inclined as indicated at 24 so as to directly engage one side of the corresponding holder 20. For engaging the other side of the holder 26 there is provided a wedge 26 held by screws 28 which extend through suitable holes in the base. The wedge 26 cooperates with an inclined face 38 at the opposite side of the groove. When the wedge is drawn upward by the screws 28, the wedge is forced against the holder 25, thus cooperating with the inclined face at 24 to securely lock the holder in place. The particular means for locking the holder in place is intended to be merely illustrative, and the invention is not limited to any particular locking means.

The resilient flat wires constituting the brush elements l4 and 16 of the several strips l2, [2 are so arranged that the angles of the planes of the outer portions of some of them with respect to their strips are substantially different from the said angles of the planes of the outer portions of the other elements. This result may be variously attained as will hereinafter more clearly appear, but as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, each element M is straight and lies in a plane parallel with the lon gitudinal lines of the strip. Each element i6 is twisted near its upper or inner end, preferably through 90, so that the plane of the outer end portion thereof is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal lines'of the strip. When the brush elements l4 and is of each U-shaped fiat wire are formed as last above described, the successive U-shaped flat wires are positioned alternately with the result that the outer end portion of the brush elements in each of the aforesaid rows of such elements are alternatel parallel and perpendicular. In other words, the outer end portion of each alternate brush element is in a plane parallel with the longitudinal lines of the strip and the outer end portion of each intervening brush element is in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal lines of the strip. This will be more readily apparent from an inspection of Figs. 4 and 5.

When the several brush strips l2, 12 are secured to the base It], the outer end portions of the several flat wire elements I4 and N5 of the brush are positioned in planes at substantially different angles to their respective directions of movement when the base is rotated or otherwise moved. When the brush is used on a floor the parallel elements I4 have a scraping action at their ends and the perpendicular elements [6 have an edgewise cutting action. If the brush strips were arranged radially, the elements 14 would have only a scraping action and the elements [6 would have only an edgewise cutting action. Actually, however, by reason of the mounting of the strips l2, 12 in planes tangent to a concentric circle, each of the strips has a combined scraping and cutting action. By reason of the scraping and cutting actions of the elements 14 and I6, the brush is very effective for removing any material which may have accumulated and become compacted on the floor which is being treated.

It will be observed that each brush element I2 is resiliently held so as to be relatively movable transversely of the strip, and that each brush element I4 is resiliently held so as to be relatively movable transversely of the strip and also longitudinally thereof.

The brush strip shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is similar to that shown in Figs. 3 to 5 except that the brush elements 32 and 34 thereof differ from the brush elements l4 and i6. As shown, each of the brush elements 32 and 34 is twisted near its upper or inner end so that its outer end portion lies in a plane at approximately to the longitudinal lines of the strip, the planes of the outer end portions of the two elements being substantially perpendicular to each other. In assembly the alternate U-shaped wires may be placed oppositely so that the planes of the outer end portions of alternate elements in each row are substantially perpendicular to the planes of the outer end portions of the intervening elements therein. It will be seen that the brush strip, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, provides a combined scraping and cutting action similar to that already described.

Figs. 8 and 9 shown brush elements 36 and 38 which are similar to the brush elements 14 and I5. However, the brush strip shown in these fi ures diiiers from that shown in Figs. 3 to 5 in that the U-shaped fiat wires instead of being alternately positioned during assembly are all positioned similarly. The result is that all of the brush elements 36 in one row are parallel with the longitudinal lines of the strip and that the outer end portions of all of the elements 38 in the other row are perpendicular to the longitudinal lines of the strip.

While it is ordinarily preferred to so form each stripthat some of the brush elements thereof are substantially perpendicular to the other elements thereof, a similar result can be obtained b providing two difierent types of strips and mounting such strips alternately in the base I0. Figs. 10 and 11 show a brush strip wherein all of the fiat wire elements 40 are in planes parallel with the longitudinal lines of the strip. Figs. 12 and 13 show a brush strip wherein the outer end portions of all of the fiat wire elements 42 are perpendicular to the longitudinal lines of the strip, all of these elements being twisted near their upper or inner ends through In assembling the brush, each alternate groove in the base I0 is provided with a brush strip such as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, and each intervening groove is provided with a brush strip such as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. In this way the before-described combined scraping and cutting actions are attained inasmuch as some of the fiat wire elements of the brush are at one angle to the directions of movement, and the remaining fiat wire elements are at another angle to the directions of movement.

What I claim is:

1. In a brush, the combination of a movable base, and a plurality of brush strips carried by and projecting from the base and positioned at angles to a predetermined direction of movement of the base, each of the said brush strips comprising two longitudinal rows of resilient flat wirc brush elements of substantially uniform lengths with the outer end portions of all alternate elements in each row positioned with their planes at substantial angles to the planes of the outer end portions of all intervening elements therein.

2. In a brush, the combination of a movable base, and a plurality of brush strips carried by and projecting from the base and positioned at angles to a predetermined direction of movement of the base, each of the said brush strips comprising a longitudinal series of U-shaped fiat wires the legs of which constitute two parallel rows of resilient fiat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths with at least one-half of the alternate elements in each row twisted near their inner ends so that the planes of the outer end portions of all alternate elements in each row are substantially perpendicular to the planes of the outer end portions of all intervening elements therein.

3. In a brush, the combination of a movable base, and a plurality of brush strips carried by and projecting from the base and positioned at angles to a predetermined direction of movement of the base, each of the said brush strips comprising a longitudinal series of similar U-shaped flat wires the legs of which constitute two parallel rows of resilient flat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths with one brush element of each wire twisted so that its outer end portion is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the outer end portion of the other brush element of the said wire, and alternate U- shaped wires of the series being oppositely positioned so that the planes of the outer end portions of alternate elements in each row are substantially perpendicular to the planes of the outer end portions of the intervening elements therein.

4. In a rotary brush, the combination of a rotatable base, and a plurality of brush strips carried by and projecting from the base and positioned at uniform angles to their directions of rotative movement, each of the said brush strips comprising two longitudinal rows of resilient fiat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths with the outer end portions of one-half of the elements in the said rows positioned in a plane parallel to the strip and with the outer end portions of the other one-half of the elements in the said rows positioned in planes substantially perpendicular to the said plane.

5. In a rotary brush, the combination of a rotatable base, and a plurality of brush strips carried by and projecting from the base and positioned at angles to their directions of rotative movement, each of thesaid brush strips comprising a longitudinal series of U-shaped flat wires the legs of which constitute two parallel rows of resilient fiat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths with the outer end portions of one-half of the elements in the said rows positioned in planes substantially parallel to the strip and with the other one-half of the elements in the said rows twisted near their inner ends so that their outer end portions are positioned in planes substantially perpendicular to the said strip,

6. In a brush, the combination of a movable base, and a plurality of brush strips carried by and projecting from the base and positioned at angles to a predetermined direction of movement of the base, each of the said brush strips comprising two longitudinal rows of resilient flat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths with the outer end portions of alternate elements in each row positioned in planes substantially parallel thereto and with the outer end portions of the intervening elements in each row positioned in planes substantially perpendicular thereto.

7. In a rotary brush, the combination of a rotatable base, and a plurality of brush strips carried by and projecting from the base and positioned at angles to their directions of rotative movement, each of the said brush strips comprising a longitudinal series of U-shaped fiat wires the legs of which constitute two parallel rows of resilient flat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths with the outer end portions of alternate elements in each row positiond in planes substantially parallel to the strip and with the intervening elements in each row twisted near their inner ends so that their outer end portions are positioned in planes substantially perpendicular to the said strip.

8. In a brush, the combinationof a movable base, and a plurality of brush strips carried by and projecting from the base and positioned at angles to a predetermined direction of move ment of the base, each of the said brush strips comprising two longitudinal rows of resilient fiat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths with the outer end portions of all elements in each row being substantially perpendicular to the respectively next adjacent elements in the said row and at substantial angles to the strip.

9. For use in a brush, a brush strip comprising in combination, a longitudinal holder U- shaped in cross section, and a longitudinal series of U-shaped fiat wires fitting within the holder and having their legs projecting from the holder to constitute two longitudinal rows of resilient flat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths, the inner end portions of all of the elements in each row being in a plane parallel to the strip and at least one-half of the elements in the said rows being twisted near their inner ends so that the planes of their outer end portions are positioned in planes at substantial angles to the said strip.

10. For use in a brush, a brush strip comprising in combination, a longitudinal holder U- shaped in cross section, and a longitudinal series of U-shaped flat wires fitting within the holder and having their legs projecting from the holder to constitute two longitudinal rows of resilient flat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths, the inner end portions of all of the elements in each row being in a plane parallel to the strip and some of the elements in the said rows being twisted near their inner ends so that the planes of their outer end portions are at substantial angles with respect to the planes of the outer end portions of the other elements.

11. For use in a brush, a brush strip comprising in combination, a longitudinal holder, and at least one longitudinal row of resilient fiat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths projecting from the holder with the outer end portions of all alternate elements positioned with their planes at substantial angles to the planes of all end portions of the intervening elements.

12. For use in a brush, a brush stripcomprising in combination, a longitudinal holder U- shaped in cross section, and a longitudinal series of U-shaped fiat wires fitting within the holder and having their legs projecting from the holder to constitute two longitudinal rows of resilient flat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths, at least one-half of the alternate elements in each row being twisted near their inner ends so that the planes of the outer end portions of alternate elements in each row are substantially perpendicular to the planes of the outer end portions of the intervening elements therein.

13. For use in a brush, a brush strip comprising in combination, a longitudinal holder U- shaped in cross section, and a longitudinal series of U-shaped fiat wires fitting within the holder and having their legs projecting from the holder to constitute two longitudinal rows of resilient flat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths, one brush element of each wire being twisted so that its outer end portion is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the outer end portion of the other brush element of the said wire and alternate U-shaped Wires of the series being oppositely positioned 7' so that the planes of the outer end portions of alternate elements in each row are substantially perpendicular to the planes of the outer end portions of the intervening elements therein.

14.. For use in a brush, a brush strip comprising in combination, a longitudinal holder U- shaped in cross section, and a longitudinal series of U-shaped flat wires fitting within the holder and having their legs projecting from the holder to constitute two longitudinal rows of resilient fiat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths, the outer end portions of one-half of the elements in the said rows being positioned in planes substantially parallel to the strip and the other one-half of the elements in the said rows twisted near their inner ends so that their outer end portions are positioned in planes substantially perpendicular to the said strip.

15. For use in a brush, a brush strip comprising in combination, a longitudinal holder U- shaped in cross section, and a longitudinal series of U-shaped flat wires fitting within the holder and having their legs projecting from the holder to constitute two longitudinal rows of resilient fiat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths, the outer end portions of alternate elements in each row being positioned in planes substantially parallel to the strip and the intervening elements in each row being twisted near their inner ends so that their outer end portions are positioned in planes substantially perpendicular to the said strip.

1.6. For use in a brush, a brush strip comprising in combination, a longitudinal holder U- shaped in cross section, and a longitudinal series of U-shaped flat wires fitting within the holder and having their legs projecting from the holder to constitute two longitudinal rows of resilient flat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths, the inner end portions of all of the elements in each row being in a plane parallel to the strip and all of the elements in one row having their outer end portions in a plane parallel to the strip and all of the elements in the other row being twisted near their inner ends so that the planes of their outer end portions are substantially perpendicular to the strip.

17. For use in a brush, a brush strip comprising in combination, a longitudinal holder U- shaped in cross section, and a longitudinal series of U-shaped flat wires fitting within the holder and having their legs projecting from the holder to constitute two longitudinal rows of resilient flat wire brush elements of substantially uniform lengths, the inner end portions of all of the elements in each row being in a plane parallel tothe strip and all of the elements in each row being twisted near their inner ends so that the planes of their outer end portions are substantially perpendicular to the strip.

CLARENCE G. RONLAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 59,733 Wright i Nov. 13, 1866 1,557,166 Horn Oct. 13, 1925 1,882,658 Feltham Oct. 18, 1932 2,146,624 Cave Feb. 7, 1939 2,153,207 Petty Apr. 4, 1939 2,192,566 Toaspern Mar. 5, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 10,615 Great Britain July 3, 1897 

